Why we need to address the downside of Mumbai's much-hyped hustle culture

Mumbai's hustle culture has now attained its new poster boy: Shanky Chauhan, the head of sales at the Bombay Shaving Company. The man was captured snoozing in an auto post his work shift. His image has been circulating on LinkedIn as the CEO Shantanu Deshpande hailed him as ‘the heartbeat of the company.'

Deshpande also encouraged fellow founders to identify the Shanky of their organisation and laud these ‘diamond assets.' Working round-the-clock has become the new prototype of a workplace role model. Bosses are not only appreciating the practice but showcasing it as a demeanour worth copying. Stealing sleep in an auto is the new honour to be chased for.

However, this hustle culture is killing people. Doctors have revealed that lack of sleep over a period of time increases the risk of heart attack. In 2021, almost 17,000 people succumbed to heart attack in Mumbai compared to Covid-19 which only killed 13,000 people. At least, 40 per cent of people who died of heart attack were below the age of 40.

Normalising hustle culture has blindfolded corporates into believing that it's natural to spend 15-18 hours at work. Midday Online spoke to Dr Santosh Bangar, senior consultant- psychiatrist, Global Hospitals, Parel Mumbai, to learn about the downside of the much-hyped hustle culture amongst employees.

How does hustle culture affect employees' health?
Anxiety, despair, and tension are all negatively impacted by hustle culture. Work-related stress and long working hours can also contribute to burnout. Employees in a hustling culture lose the capacity to strike a work-life balance, which is essential for good mental and physical health. Employers encouraging employees to stay late or arrive early to work is one example of a toxic hustle culture in the workplace.

To-do lists or requests with insufficient time or resources to perform chores are also common. This is one of the causes contributing to the big resignation movement. Another example is managers who prioritise quantity over quality, foregoing work well done in favour of a task that is just, and well, done.

Lastly, some firms may foster unhealthy competition among employees by paying those who outperform, rather than emphasising cooperation, teamwork, support, and a general "in-it-to-win-it" mindset. Overall, such a culture is detrimental to the well-being of any employee.

Shed light on the rising psychological problems that can be attributed to workplace stress.

Being overworked is normalised and has reduced an employee's worth to the number of hours she dedicates to the company. The topics of health, wellness, and hobbies are now mythical aspects, to be dwelled upon during banal smoke breaks.

Work-related stress is more rampant than we know. It takes a toll on employees' mental and physical health if left untreated for a long period. Hectic hours, a heavy workload, job uncertainty, and confrontations with co-workers or superiors are just a few of the numerous reasons for work-related stress.

Symptoms include decreased work performance, sadness, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. Employers must recognise work-related stress as a serious health and safety problem. The organisation should take actions and put in place a system to protect its employees from needless stress.

How does workplace stress induce neuro-endocrine reactions?
People like Shanky can be found in every company. They over-exert beyond their capacity and end up creating an imbalance in their neurological system. The stress can sometimes induce stress which can cost astronomically.

At times of stress, the hypothalamus, a group of nuclei that links the brain and the endocrine system, prompts the pituitary gland to release a hormone, which in turn signals the adrenal glands, which are positioned above the kidneys, to boost cortisol production.

Cortisol increases the amount of accessible energy fuel by mobilising glucose and fatty acids from the liver. Cortisol is routinely generated at variable levels throughout the day, often increasing in concentration upon awakening and gradually decreasing during the day, creating an energy cycle.

A rise in cortisol during a stressful event might offer the energy needed to deal with a protracted or harsh task.

Are there instances of cardiac issues rising due to unhealthy work hours? How does workplace stress give rise to heart conditions?
According to research, elevated cortisol levels caused by long-term stress can raise blood cholesterol, triglycerides, blood sugar, and blood pressure. These are common risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This tension can also produce alterations in the arteries that encourage the growth of plaque deposits. Workplace stress can also be harmful to employees' heart. According to research, people who are more concerned about losing their work are roughly 20 per cent more likely to suffer heart disease.

What are some ways employees can avoid falling prey to mental and physical sickness owing to work stress?
Employee-environment fit should be the major priority in the workplace. If it's a good fit, the employee will feel at ease. A bad fit causes strain and stress. We need to assess our people and the settings we create for them as managers and businesses. We must ensure that we provide an office that meets our employees' concept of "not stressful," not simply our own.

The environment causes a lot of stress. Consider every component of your workplace environment and what it does (or does not do) for your team's well-being. Basic factors such as the quality of the coffee or the height of the cubicle walls can have an impact on employee engagement. Refresh the office with a new colour scheme, more plants, or new cutlery.

If you have the space, consider installing a ping pong or foosball table to distract staff from their stress for a few minutes. Encourage regular meditation/yoga sessions during away-day or as part of team bonding sessions. Taking time off from work or work-from-home is also a useful way to deal with work-related stress. Any adjustments that boost employee satisfaction will make them feel less stressed.

Also Read: Me-time Fridays? Here's what HR professionals and employees have to say about four-day work week